Granada Leads Europe Towards Energy Self-Sufficiency in Water Management
Granada has become one of the first European cities to make its entire water system energy self-sufficient — a major step forward in sustainable urban management.
The transformation of the city’s old wastewater treatment plant into the Ecofactoría Sur has turned it from an energy consumer into a clean energy producer. Today, the facility generates 140% of the energy it needs using a mix of biogas, solar power, and advanced optimisation technology.
Run by the municipal water company Emasagra, the Ecofactoría now produces around 11 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy every year, cutting Granada’s carbon footprint by nearly 30% since 2014. The plant also reuses treated water to irrigate parks and gardens across the city — an increasingly vital measure as southern Spain faces worsening drought conditions.
Speaking at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Mayor Marifrán Carazo described sustainability as “a practical policy that directly improves residents’ lives when managed responsibly,” rather than an abstract environmental goal.
From Waste to Resource
Granada officially reached 100% energy self-sufficiency across its entire water cycle in June 2025, putting the city at the forefront of climate resilience in Europe.
What once was waste is now seen as a resource. Through a circular economy model developed by Emasagra, reclaimed water is reused for irrigation, and by-products like sludge are processed for use in agriculture, energy, and construction. The city has set a goal to reuse 40% of all treated water, the equivalent of creating a new reservoir without building one — an approach that highlights the potential of smart urban planning to stretch existing resources further.
Technology Driving Sustainability
Innovation lies at the heart of Granada’s success. The Ecofactoría uses a digital twin — a real-time virtual model — to track operations and apply artificial intelligence for maximum efficiency. The Createch intelligent aeration systemfurther reduces energy use while maintaining high water quality standards.
Granada has also introduced an innovative funding tool, the Canon de Descarbonización, which guarantees that money saved from environmental improvements is reinvested into new sustainability projects. Meanwhile, the Granada Respiraprogramme will create an urban forest irrigated with reclaimed water, and the Metropolitan Green Ring will promote biodiversity and carbon capture around the city.
A European Trend
Granada’s achievements mirror a growing movement across Europe. Cities such as Aarhus in Denmark, Munich in Germany, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen are also developing circular and energy-efficient approaches to managing water and waste. Together, these initiatives signal a major shift toward greener, more self-sufficient cities.
Sharing the Model
Mayor Carazo emphasised that Granada’s approach is about results, not promises. The city is now sharing its experience through European and Latin American networks like URBACT and IURC, helping other municipalities adapt the model to their own needs.
Granada’s success proves that environmental ambition can go hand in hand with practical results. By combining smart technology, strategic investment, and strong public management, the city has built a model for energy-positive, climate-resilient water management that other cities can follow.